Renaissance

Renaissance means rebirth

1. Dr.AGHALYA.,M.A.,M.Ed.,M.PHIL., Ph.D ., Head & Asst.Professor Department of History Bon Secours College for Women Thanjavur Renaissance

2. Renaissance meaning • The term Renaissance means “revival” or “rebirth”. • It also denotes to the noteworthy modifications that took place in Europe during the transition period between the medieval and modern. • Growth of science, art, architecture, sculpture, painting, literature, geography and religion were seen in this period. • Spirit of humanism and individualism has developed. • Religious makeover was signified by the Reformation. • These changes that took place in Europe were collectively called “Renaissance”.

3. Renaissance in Italy The birthplace of Renaissance is Italy Italy is the cradle of the Latin language and ancient civilization. The city states in Italy like Venice and Florence patronized literature and art. The renaissance movement was ignited in the city of Florence by the publication of ‘Divine Comedy’ by the poet Dante. This movement then spread to elsewhere in Europe and reached its zenith in the 16th century.

4. Revival of Classical Literature The most significant contribution of the Renaissance was the resurrection and studying of ancient Latin and Greek literature. The pioneering scholar was Petrarch (1304 –1374). He collected and compiled the works of Aristotle and Plato. His student Boccaccio also promoted classical learning. Many Greek scholars who came from Constantinople spread the ancient Greek literature in Florence. Pope Nicholas V founded the Vatican Library in the 15th century. Erasmus edited the New Testament in the Greek language.

5. Role of the printing press The invention of the printing press by John Gutenberg had influenced the Renaissance literature. The first book published by John Gutenberg was The Bible. William Caxton was the first to set up a printing press in England. Later many printing presses were set up throughout Europe These Printing Presses provided a motivation to the Renaissance movement.

6. Renaissance Literature Geoffrey Chaucer is known as the father of English literature He wrote the Canterbury Tales in English. Machiavelli wrote History of Florence and The Prince. Cervantes authored the famous Don Quixote. Utopia was written by Sir Thomas Moore in Latin. The Elizabethan era marked the commencement of the English Renaissance. The period also seen the rise of William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Edmund Spenser, Sydney and Ben Johnson etc. Montaigne against the authority and the dictatorship of the past and made the title “the first modern man”. Martin Luther translated the Bible in the German language.

7. Renaissance of Art Paintings and art in the Middle Ages were dominated by Christianity but in  the Renaissance period love of nature and the human body provided muses to this domain. Leonardo da Vinci known as the “Renaissance Man”. His famous works of art were the ‘Last Supper’ and ‘Mona Lisa’. Michelangelo was both a sculptor and painter. Some consider his painting “Last Judgement” as one of the best in the world.

8. Renaissance of Sculpture Lorenzo Ghiberti (1378-1455) was the most important renaissance sculpture. He created the famous doors at the Baptistery of Florence. Michelangelo made the statue of David in Florence. Donatello molded the statue of St. Mark at Venice and St. George in Florence.

9. Development of Science Francis Bacon is regarded as the father of modern science. The heliocentric theory was given by Nicolaus Copernicus. Sir Isaac Newton established that the movements of all celestial bodies were controlled by gravitation. Laws of planetary motion were stated by Johannes Kepler . Galileo Galilei  invented the telescope brought new evidence to support the Copernican theory. Cordus  made ether from alcohol and sulphuric acid. Carbon dioxide was discovered by Helmont . Vesalius wrote a treatise on human anatomy.

10. Results of the Renaissance The Renaissance was deemed the symbol of the commencement of the modern age. The spirit of inquiry has developed among people. The subsequent scientific inventions created significant changes in the life of humanity. The invention of the Mariner’s Compass led to several Geographical discoveries.  

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